Rebecca Wong MBChB, MSc, FRCPC
2014. issue 1.volume 5
Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network
2013. issue 1.volume 4
Oligometastases:
A New Take on Metastatic Disease
Rebecca Wong MBChB, MSc, FRCPC
Radiation Oncologist
Professor, University of Toronto, Department of Radiation Oncology (UTDRO)
Metastasis has historically been perceived as a systemic and
incurable process for most adult solid tumours; this view has shaped
our understanding of why cancer is difficult to beat. The concept of oligometastases
challenges this paradigm and may provide the key to conquering cancer in our lifetime.
Oligometastasis — a term coined by Hellman and Weichselbaum in 1995 — describes
a state in which distant relapse is observed in only a limited number of locations. This
intermediate state between localized and systemic disease may present an opportunity
to cure. While the underlying mechanism remains uncertain, the “seed and soil”
phenomenon and the interaction between cancer cells and our immune response, likely
play critical roles in maintaining this state. For a subgroup of patients who present with
a few metastatic lesions, local ablative therapies may provide prolonged disease-free
and overall survival. The abscopal effect (shrinkage of tumours remote from the site of
radiotherapy) provides further evidence that local ablative therapies, such as stereotactic
body radiation therapy (SBRT), can modulate the immune system and influence the
metastatic disease process. Continued on page 2.
Oligometastases: A New Take on
Metastatic Disease page 1
REBECCA WONG MBChB, MSc, FRCPC
DID YOU KNOW? Page 3
Adult Radiation Late Effects Clinic (ARLEC):
Improving Care Beyond Cure
WILFRED LEVIN MBChB, FRCPC
Clinical Trial HIGHLIGHT page 3
Rebecca Wong MBChB, MSc, FRCPC
How to find us page 4
Recognition of Distinguished Service
Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz was awarded the American Society for Radiation Oncology
(ASTRO) Gold Medal, the Society’s highest honour in September 2014. The Gold Medal recognizes
individuals who have made exceptional contributions and impact within the field of Radiation Oncology
through their research, clinical care, teaching and service. Dr. Gospodarowicz is only the 5th Canadian
to receive the ASTRO Gold Medal. The previous recipients include Drs. Bernard Cummings (2011),
Walter Rider (1986), Harold Johns (1980) and Vera Peters (1979), all from the Princess Margaret
Cancer Centre.
Mary Gospodarowicz MD, FRCPC, FRCR(Hon)
Radiation Oncologist, Professor, UTDRO
“From the first consultation with Dr. Wong
to the completion of radiation treatment,
less than a month had elapsed. I find that
incredibly reassuring — that all that can
be done is being done!”
—Doris Sonnenberg
OLIGOMETASTASES continued
Doris Sonnenberg had been feeling well since her initial diagnosis
Doris Sonnenberg
“I was immediately
struck by Dr. Wong’s
compassionate and
caring nature.
I thought this is
someone I can trust
to see me through
this crisis.”
—Doris Sonnenberg
2014. ISSUE 1. VOLUME 5
produced by the Radiation Medicine
Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Editor
John Kim MD
ISSUE EDITOR
Stephen Breen PhD
Editorial Board
Andrea Bezjak MD
Anthony Brade MD
Caroline Chung MD
Nicole Harnett MRT(T)
Emma Ito PhD
Richard Tsang MD
and treatment of breast cancer over 17 years ago. However, lower back
pain led to repeated diagnostic imaging, revealing two bone metastases
in her pelvis. A course of ablative stereotactic radiotherapy to her pelvis
was recommended, and six years later, Doris remains disease-free. She
continues to be on hormone therapy. “The cancer is stable, I feel great
and I’m able to look after three grandchildren on a regular basis. My
husband and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in Hawaii this
year with all the children and grandchildren.”
Doris’ case illustrates the effectiveness of SBRT — the precise delivery of a few
very high doses of radiation to the tumour — in managing oligometastatic disease.
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is a world leader in SBRT. It is one of the few
centres worldwide offering SBRT to lung, liver and paraspinal cancer patients since
2005. Last year, the Radiation Medicine Program (RMP) opened its first Phase II
clinical trial for multisite oligometastases (see Clinical Trial Highlight), examining the
efficacy and safety of treating up to five metastatic lesions with SBRT. The effects of
hypoxia on clinical outcome, the immune response of SBRT, as well as molecular
biomarkers of the oligometastatic state are also being investigated. The findings
from this study will be critical to unraveling the mysteries of the oligometastatic state.
Answers to key questions, such as “How do we identify patients who are truly in
the oligometastatic state?”, “What is the most effective way of achieving ablation of
all metastases and maintenance of a disease-free state?” and “How do we convert
patients with diffuse metastases to the potentially curable oligometastatic state?” will
provide important clues that may make it possible to conquer cancer in our lifetime.
Photography
Donna Santos, Donna Santos Studio
Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
layout
Meta Antolin, Metagrafix Design
In the next issue…
PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
AND GENOMIC TESTING
2
radiationatpmh.com
Hardy Sonnenberg, Jeffrey Link, Doris Sonnenberg, REBECCA WONG
Clinical TrIAl
Highlight
Rebecca Wong MBChB, MSc, FRCPC
Radiation Oncologist
Professor, UTDRO
The Radiation Medicine Program is committed to
improving therapies and outcomes for cancer patients
through innovative clinical studies. A prospective Phase II
oligometastases SBRT trial is currently being conducted
at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and is actively
accruing patients.
Wilfred Levin MBChB, FRCPC
Adult Radiation
Late Effects Clinic (ARLEC):
Improving Care Beyond Cure
Wilfred Levin MBChB, FRCPC
Radiation Oncologist
Assistant Professor, UTDRO
For over a decade, ARLEC at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
— the only one of its kind in Canada — has helped approximately 800
patients nationwide with radiation late effects.
Radiation late effects are due to normal tissue injuries that manifest months
to years after completion of radiotherapy and occur in the irradiated
volume. The pathogenesis involves a metabolically active and ongoing
inflammatory response, which results in the excessive production of fibrous
tissue (scarring) and microvascular damage (endarteritis). By impeding the
progression of these damaging effects, particularly when caught early, tissue
toxicity can be limited and treated.
Phase II Study on the Toxicity and Efficacy
of a Normal Tissue Tolerance Adapted,
5-Fraction Stereotactic Body Radiation
Therapy (SBRT) Regimen for
Extra-Cranial Oligometastases
PI – Rebecca Wong
This ongoing clinical trial evaluates the efficacy and
toxicity of treating patients with oligometastatic spread (up
to five metastatic lesions) with an aggressive SBRT regimen
(25-50 Gy/5 fractions) adapted to normal tissue tolerances.
Eligible Patients: Patients with any controlled solid primary
tumour type with a maximum of five metastatic lesions,
including at least one lesion that is suitable for SBRT.
Patients should not have had prior radiotherapy to any
of the sites of metastatic disease and no chemotherapy
planned within two weeks of intended radiotherapy.
For more information, see ClinicalTrials.gov
Identifier: NCT01761929
Patients can present with late effects affecting all body systems and with
varying grades of severity. Symptoms may include hemorrhagic proctitis,
cystitis, enteritis, vaginitis, osteoradionecrosis, non-healing ulcers, breast
swelling and fibrosis, muscle fibrosis, neuropathies and soft tissue necrosis.
Anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrosis and anti-oxidant agents, as well as vasoactive
drugs, physiotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been shown to be
effective in the management of late effects.
ARLEC is currently open to patients one afternoon per week. Patients will
have their specific symptoms assessed and treated by radiation oncologists
with specialized expertise in late radiation toxicities, who are committed
to advancing research in late effects. ARLEC is currently leading studies
addressing the reversal of tissue fibrosis and radiation repair, and anticipates
examining the role of stem cells in tissue regeneration.
To refer your patients to ARLEC, please fax:
416-946-4442 to the attention of Drs. Wilfred Levin and Robert Dinniwell.
radiationatpmh.com
Rotational delivery techniques (blue lines) produce a
highly conformal dose distribution (yellow) around the
oligometastasis (red), sparing adjacent normal tissue.
Radiation Medicine Program at the Princess Margaret
3
For your referrals
We offer three ways to facilitate your requests for consultation:
2. Princess Margaret New
Patient Referral Centre
1. Site Group Coordinators
Site group coordinators serve as a liaison for
referring physicians, radiation oncologists and
the Princess Margaret Patient Referral Centre.
3. Direct to Specific Radiation
Oncologists
Tel: 416.946.4575
Fax: 416.946.2900
Referrals to specific radiation oncologists
should be directed to site group coordinators.
Palliative Radiation Oncology Program (PROP)
Emergencies For patients requiring same day
Direct palliative referral patients to our PROP coordinator.
Within 24 hours, she will contact you with an appointment. Patients
will be seen within a few days. [email protected]
consultations (e.g. spinal cord compression), please contact
our Palliative Radiation Oncology referral coordinator
(416.946.2902) who will identify the radiation oncologist that
is best able to respond to your requests.
Coordinator Novlette Douglas
Tel: 416.946.2902
Fax: 416.946.4657
[email protected]
Leader Dr. Jolie Ringash
Tel: 416.946.2919
[email protected]
For After-Hour Requests
Please page the radiation oncologist on call through the
switchboard at 416.946.2000.
updated November 2014
Breast
CNS
Endocrine
EYE
Coordinator Anila Samji
Coordinator Alannah Pyke
Coordinator Novlette Douglas
Coordinator Alannah Pyke
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Leader Dr. Anne Koch
Tel: 416.946.2122
Leader Dr. Normand Laperriere
Tel: 416.946.2127
Leader Dr. James Brierley
Tel: 416.946.2124
Leader Dr. Normand Laperriere
Tel: 416.946.2127
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Gastrointestinal
Genitourinary
Gynaecological
Head and Neck
Coordinator Anila Samji
Coordinator Anila Samji
Coordinator Anila Samji
Coordinator Ellen Hoffman
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Leader Dr. John Kim
Tel: 416.946.2126
[email protected]
Leader Dr. Charles Catton
Tel: 416.946.2121
[email protected]
Leader Dr. Michael Milosevic
Tel: 416.946.2932
[email protected]
Leader Dr. John Waldron
Tel: 416.946.6522
Lung
Lymphoma
Pediatrics
Coordinator Alannah Pyke
Coordinator Novlette Douglas
Multi-Disciplinary
Brain Mets clinic
Coordinator Alannah Pyke
Tel: 416.946.2902
Fax: 416.946.4657
[email protected]
Tel: 416.946.2130
Fax: 416.946.4657
Tel: 416.946.4501 x3639
Fax: 416.946.4657
Tel: 416.946.4501 x3639
Fax: 416.946.4657
Tel: 416.946.2130
Fax: 416.946.4657
[email protected]
Tel: 416.946.2130
Fax: 416.946.4657
Tel: 416.946.4501 x3639
Fax: 416.946.4657
Tel: 416.946.2902
Fax: 416.946.4657
Leader Dr. Alex Sun
Tel: 416.946.2126
Leader Dr. Richard Tsang
Tel: 416.946.6513
[email protected]
[email protected]
Tel: 416.946.2902
Fax: 416.946.4657
Tel: 416.946.4501 x3639
Fax: 416.946.4657
[email protected]
Leader Dr. Caroline Chung
Tel: 416.946.6513
Tel: 416.946.2130
Fax: 416.946.4657
Tel: 416.946.6522
Fax: 416.946.2111
[email protected]
Coordinator Novlette Douglas
[email protected]
Leader Dr. David Hodgson
Tel: 416.946.2121
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sarcoma
skin
Unknown Primary
Coordinator Maria Prentice
Coordinator Maria Prentice
Coordinator Novlette Douglas
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Leader Dr. Brian O’Sullivan
Tel: 416.946.2125
Leader Dr. Alex Sun
Tel: 416.946.2126
[email protected]
Leader Dr. Jolie Ringash
Tel: 416.946.2919
[email protected]
Tel: 416.946.4575
Fax: 416.946.2900
[email protected]
Tel: 416.946.4575
Fax: 416.946.2900
Tel: 416.946.2902
Fax: 416.946.4657
© 2 014 Radiation Medicine Program
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
radiationatpmh.com Radiation Medicine Program at the Princess Margaret